When America Was Great: The Fighting Faith of Liberalism in Post-War America

In the midst of Eisenhower's America, at the peak of the conservative Cold War era, a movement of thinkers and writers defined a pragmatic liberal vision for America. In this tale that will redefine the word "liberal" for a new generation, Mattson retraces the intellectual journey of these towering figures--from historians Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., and C. Vann Woodward, to economist John Kenneth Galbraith and theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. They served in the Second World War. They opposed communism but also wanted to make America's poor visible to the affluent society. Contrary to those who characterize liberals as naïve or sentimental "bleeding hearts," they had a tough-minded and nuanced vision that stressed both human limitations and hope. They felt America should stand for something more than just a strong economy.--From publisher's description.